Gypsophila plant named ‘Danfestar’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Gypsophila plant named &#39;Danfestar&#39; characterized by being suitable for gardening outdoors, in containers and as a small sized cut flower; forms a flowering bush with a 10-15 inch spread in 2-3 months; compact dense branched plant with plenty of flowering stems; medium, semi-filled white flowers, early flowering, having a long lasting flowering flush; and perennial plant that will come back after winter.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Gypsophilapaniculata.

Variety denomination: ‘Danfestar’; commercial denomination: Gypsophilacv. Festival Star.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofGypsophila plant, botanically known as Gypsophila paniculata,hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Danfestar’.

The new cultivar was derived from an open pollination with a proprietaryfemale cultivar and unknown male parent made in a controlled breedingprogram in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female parent is hybridno. 589 (unpatented, proprietary cultivar). The male parent is an openpollination. ‘Danfestar’ was discovered and selected by the inventor,Gabriel Danziger, as a flowering plant within the progeny of the openpollination in a controlled environment in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva,Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by side shoot cuttings wasfirst performed in 1999 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Danfestar’ which in combination distinguishthis Gypsophila as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Suitable for gardening outdoors, in containers and as a small sizedcut flower;

2. forms a flowering bush of 10-15 inch spread in 2-3 months;

3. compact dense branched plant with plenty of flowering stems;

4. medium, semi-filled white flowers, early flowering, having a longlasting flowering flush; and

5. perennial plant that will come back after winter.

‘Danfestar’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, anddaylength without any change in the genotype of the plant. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to ‘Danfestar’ is the cultivar Gypsophila cv.‘Happy Festival’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,711 under variety denomination‘Danghappy’). In comparison to ‘Danfestar’, ‘Happy Festival’ has a morecompact growth habit and dense inflorescence; smaller flowers than thoseof ‘Danfestar’ and is better suited as a 4 inch pot plant.

The following is a comparison between ‘Danfestar’ and the female parent.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘Danfestar’ Female parent 589 Plant height 40-50cm 80-90 cm Commerical product Pot and bedding plant Cut flower

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings show a typical specimen plant of‘Danfestar’, with colors as true as possible with illustrations of thistype. The first photographic drawing shows a flowering ‘Danfestar’ bushin a 12 inch container (3 months from planting). The second photographicdrawing shows a flowering ‘Danfestar’ bush in a garden, labeled ‘1774’,its original designation during testing (2 months from planting).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance areused. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately12:00 pm in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The plants described are 8weeks from planting.

Optimal growing conditions of plant: For outdoor gardening, plant infull sunlight starting early spring. The plant can overcome moderatewinter growing outside. For spring sales, plant at weeks 6-8 in agreenhouse in a 4 inch pot. Use artificial light to extend day time upto 16 houres during winter to stimulate flowering. Use light welldrained soil. Irrigate and fertilize moderately.

General observations: ‘Danfestar’ is a heavily branched, roundsymmetrical bush, reaching a height of 30-50 cm; a large number ofupright secondary stems (10-15 depending on growing conditions); developand flower within a short time and stay in bloom for more than a month,for each flowering cycle; white, semi-full flowers, depending on growingconditions, 5-6 mm in flower diameter, arranged densely in bunches atstem tips; no changes in color or distortions of the flower were noted.

Flowering stems can be picked for domestic use having a long vase life.For outdoor gardening plant in full sunlight starting in early spring.This variety flowers within 6-7 weeks from planting in summer and 9-10weeks during fall. Plants can overcome winter outside, flowering inearly spring of the second year. Fully grown plants keep flowering eventhrough moderate winter. Prune moderately at the end of the floweringflush, to renew growth and flowering.

Propagation: Stem Cutting.

Plant:

General appearance and form.—Height: 30-50 cm. Width: 30-40 cm. Habit:Bush. Form: Bush symmetrical, round and densely branched. FloweringResponse: During long day conditions. Flowering Season: Summer, springand fall. In winter with light supplement. Winter Hardiness: Half hardyplant can withstand temperature down to 0° C. Lastingness of theIndividual Bloom: 10-14 days. Rooting: Apply rooting hormone, keep wet,avoid direct sunlight. Fragrance: Typical of Gypsophila.

Foliage:

Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.

Attachment.—Sessile.

Base.—Truncate.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Margin.—Entire.

Texture.—Rough.

Main color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Green 137-C. Immature leaf:Green 137-D.

Main color of lower surface.—Mature leaf: Green 137-C. Immature leaf:Green 137-D.

Venation color.—None.

Leaf size.—Length: 4-5 cm. Width: 6-7 mm.

Stipules.—None.

Inflorescence:

Natural flowering season.—Long day.

Corolla.—Form/shape: Rounded cup. Average Number: Approximately onethousand per flowering stem. Size: 5-6 mm in diameter. Petal Number:40-50 (In long day conditions with high light intensity). Petal Shape:Spathulate with emarginate tip. Petal Markings: None. Petal Color: Uppersurface: White 155-D. Lower surface: White 155-D. Sepals: Shape:Lanceolate. Length: 3 mm. Width: 1 mm. Apex: Acuminate. Margin: Entire.Color: Green, RHS 144A.

Stem.—Average length: 40-50 cm. Average diameter: 2 mm. Color:Yellow-Green 144-B. Internode length: 2.5-3 cm.

Spur.—None.

Bud.—Response: Long day. Color: White 155-D. Size before opening: Width3 mm, length 4 mm. Shape: Oroid. Pedicel Length: 8-9 mm. Pedicel Color:Yellow-Green 144-B.

Reproductive organs observed:

Pistil.—2, white RHS 155D. Pollen: Scarce.

Stigma.—2, Convex, white 155-D.

Ovary.—Color yellow-green 144-D.

Fruit/seed.—None.

Disease resistance: No observations to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Gypsophila plant named ‘Danfestar’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.